Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1412:
Description
A sought-after piece of Western Americana. This is a “Buffalo Roll Blanket” from the Montana Robe Company. An item more accurately associated with the Western Robe Company of Detroit, Michigan, which often branded its superior buggy and sleigh robes with the “Montana Robe” name, capitalizing on the romanticism of the American West. Dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, these were civilian robes made to simulate a true buffalo hide (or sometimes contained buffalo hair), offering a warm lap blanket for open-air carriage or sleigh travel. They were often advertised as “water, wind, and moth proof.” The construction is a heavy, patterned wool or sometimes simulated buffalo fur face, backed by a thick fleece or wool lining. Back of the blacket features the remnants of the original Montana Robe Company’s branding patch, which has deteriorated over the decades. The robe shows extensive, consistent use with heavy matting and wear to the thick pile. The blankets original felt fringe work show deterioration from use over the years. L 56″, W 54″ From Donley’s Wild West Town Museum.
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